Tips to Conserve Energy and Save Money During Hot Weather

Wow, it’s been a hot summer! Right?! Even though we’re enjoying a little break, you and I both know that more hot days are sure to be right around the corner. And with them come the rolling blackouts and the sky-high energy bills. We hear about it in the news all the time to conserve, conserve, conserve. So, I thought I’d put together some of the best tips I know of for conserving energy at home.

Sleep with the windows open. One of the best ways to save on air conditioning costs is to turn your air off at night and sleep with the windows open. Remember that when you wake up, shut your windows and shades to capture and trap the cool air inside your home. This may also delay the time your air conditioner has to kick on.

Install a programmable thermostat. Turning up the temperature in your home while you’re away is another way to conserve energy and save money on cooling your home when you’re not even there. If you have a programmable thermostat, it can take care of turning up the temperature a few degrees and even have your home cool for you when you return home.

Use fans. Using fans like ceiling fans or other in room fans that circulate the air helps your home feel cooler even though it may not be. According to the U.S. Department of Energy you can raise your thermostat by 4 degrees and feel the same level of comfort if you have fans running in your home.

Turn off lights and appliances. Lighting, appliances, and even electronics can emit lots of heat and essentially heat your home in the summer. Change out old lightbulbs for cooler, more energy efficient LED bulbs. Use appliances as little as possible, especially big heat producing ones like the oven.

Seal up cracks. If you have any leaky doors or windows they could be allowing hot air into your home. Take a look and feel around the doors and windows in your home and if you find any leaky areas install some weatherstripping and/or caulk.

So, not only will conserving energy help prevent rolling blackouts and power problems for all of us, but also will save you money. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save each month by just making these few simple, low-cost ideas.